….To drive regional economic growth
The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has launched the Investment Opportunity Mapping Project (IOMP), an initiative designed to identify and showcase investment opportunities across all 261 districts in Ghana’s 16 regions, moving beyond the traditional focus on Accra.
This is the first time a comprehensive district-level investment mapping exercise is being undertaken in the country, aimed at identifying, assessing, and documenting viable local investment opportunities. It provides data-driven insights to guide both domestic and foreign investments in critical sectors, including agribusiness, manufacturing, tourism, energy, and services.
The project forms part of broader national efforts to boost job creation and promote sustainable economic growth, being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA).
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Simon Madjie, described the IOMP as a critical catalyst for Ghana’s economic transformation under the government’s flagship 24-hour economy and accelerated export development programme.
He said the initiative aims to support the vision of building a self-reliant, industrially competitive, and export-driven economy.
According to Mr. Madjie, the IOMP will identify and promote investment-ready projects capable of activating value chains in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and other key sectors.
He highlighted strategic initiatives such as the Volta Economic Corridor, the Legon Pharmaceutical Innovation Pact, the Kumasi Machinery and Technology Pact, and the Akosombo-Juapong garment and textiles cluster as examples of transformative projects that stand to benefit from the IOMP.
“This project will ensure these and many other opportunities are clearly profiled, well-pitched, and effectively promoted,” he said.
Mr. Madjie noted that from 1994 to 2024, the GIPC registered over 6,900 companies with a cumulative investment value exceeding 51 billion dollars and however expressed concern over the sharp decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) in recent years, with flows dropping from 3.6 billion dollars in 2016 to just about 617 million dollars in 2024.
He emphasized that reversing this trend is a key priority for the GIPC, particularly in the face of growing global competition for capital, shifting investor expectations around transparency and sustainability, and the need for well-defined, project-specific investment propositions.
“The IOMP is our response to this challenge; it is designed to position Ghana’s districts and regions as credible investment destinations by offering actionable, data-backed opportunities that align with global investor priorities.” He stated.
The Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, also described the Investment Opportunity Mapping Project (IOMP) as a timely and vital instrument for unlocking Ghana’s untapped economic potential and repositioning the country for inclusive and balanced growth.
According to the Minister, as the Ministry responsible for driving Ghana’s production-based transformation, expanding trade, and promoting industrialization, the IOMP is a strategic tool to support national development.
She emphasized that although Ghana remains one of Africa’s most attractive investment destinations owing to its stable political climate, growing and diverse economy, investor-friendly policies, strategic location, skilled workforce, and supportive business environment, the distribution of investment across districts and productive sectors remains uneven.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare noted that many districts and regions are yet to fully realize their potential, not due to a lack of resources or ideas, but because of limited visibility, inadequate data, and low investor confidence adding that he IOMP would address these challenges by providing credible investment data to support informed decision-making and channel capital to all 261 districts.
The Minister highlighted that the IOMP would help identify the unique competitive advantages of each district and match them with domestic and foreign investors seeking ready-to-execute, data-backed opportunities.
She also announced that the Ministry would soon begin implementing the Rapid Industrialization for Jobs Initiative, a bold move to create jobs through the establishment of new industries and the revitalization of old ones, with a special focus on the textile and poultry sectors and industrial development in the northern parts of Ghana.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare added that the IOMP would play a crucial role in identifying and matching these opportunities with suitable investors.
In addition to supporting industrialization, the Minister stressed that the IOMP is central to the Ministry’s efforts to stimulate private sector development.
She affirmed that the private sector must lead the charge in driving industrial growth, job creation, and innovation, but only with access to clear, evidence-based investment opportunities, stressing that the IOMP will enable the presentation of well-defined investment cases, facilitate strategic partnerships, and enhance domestic production, value addition, and export potential.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare pointed out that investment opportunities identified through the IOMP will attract high-impact investments in priority sectors such as food processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and light manufacturing.
This will thereby increase Ghana’s participation in global and regional trade, noting that the project will position Ghana to take full advantage of the 3.4 trillion dollars African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Minister reiterated her Ministry’s commitment to working closely with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) to ensure the successful implementation of the IOMP.
Madam Ofosu-Adjare called on all stakeholders, including regional ministers, district assemblies, and local authorities, to actively collaborate with GIPC throughout the mapping process to fully harness the economic potential of every district.
